Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
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By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 08/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Speech-language pathologists (SOC 29-1127) employed 183,390 people in May 2025. The median pay is $97,870 a year ($47.05 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $62,900 and the highest-paid 10% more than $134,160. BLS projects its employment to change by +16.6% between 2025 and 2035 (about 12,500 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: Master's degree.
Highest median pay: California ($118,970), Colorado ($110,750), District of Columbia ($109,380). Most jobs: Texas (19,120), California (16,930), New York (15,310).
No open private-sector listing matched this occupation today (searched titles containing: speech-language pathologist). New jobs arrive several times a day; try the links below.
All private-sector speech-language pathologist jobs →Federal jobs (USAJOBS) →Find the right job for me
What the job involves: read the official definition at BLS (OEWS) and O*NET. Typical entry: Master's degree. Licences are set by states and employers.
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,900 | $30.24 |
| 25th percentile | $77,730 | $37.37 |
| Median | $97,870 | $47.05 |
| Mean | $98,170 | $47.20 |
| 75th percentile | $114,570 | $55.08 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $134,160 | $64.50 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 193,400 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 225,500 |
| Change in jobs | 32,100 |
| Percent change | +16.6% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 12,500 |
| Self-employed share | 4.5% |
| Typical entry education | Master's degree |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Internship/residency |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 2,060 | 0.83 | $73,660 | $58,010 | $109,300 | -25% | 16% |
| Alaska | 340 | 0.89 | $102,670 | $79,700 | $125,950 | +5% | 17% |
| Arizona | 3,390 | 0.89 | $97,800 | $68,990 | $130,550 | -0% | 19% |
| Arkansas | 2,430 | 1.58 | $83,580 | $56,250 | $134,420 | -15% | 14% |
| California | 16,930 | 0.79 | $118,970 | $79,750 | $160,900 | +22% | 21% |
| Colorado | 4,420 | 1.30 | $110,750 | $73,900 | $164,520 | +13% | 19% |
| Connecticut | 2,390 | 1.19 | $100,110 | $65,400 | $130,290 | +2% | 18% |
| Delaware | 690 | 1.21 | $102,760 | $79,880 | $135,200 | +5% | 16% |
| District of Columbia | 390 | 0.47 | $109,380 | $81,800 | $137,140 | +12% | 21% |
| Florida | 10,080 | 0.86 | $99,990 | $69,970 | $122,050 | +2% | 20% |
| Georgia | 4,030 | 0.70 | $96,760 | $59,800 | $125,550 | -1% | 17% |
| Hawaii | 270 | 0.37 | $97,560 | $61,000 | $120,620 | -0% | 24% |
| Idaho | 1,210 | 1.20 | $84,380 | $62,090 | $121,890 | -14% | 18% |
| Illinois | 9,040 | 1.26 | $95,080 | $60,870 | $123,800 | -3% | 16% |
| Indiana | 3,310 | 0.88 | $87,360 | $60,990 | $122,930 | -11% | 15% |
| Iowa | 1,540 | 0.84 | $81,050 | $63,270 | $106,460 | -17% | 14% |
| Kansas | 1,690 | 1.00 | $80,120 | $59,390 | $108,390 | -18% | 16% |
| Kentucky | 2,610 | 1.11 | $83,550 | $63,250 | $121,090 | -15% | 14% |
| Louisiana | 3,000 | 1.31 | $69,610 | $53,480 | $107,650 | -29% | 18% |
| Maine | 640 | 0.85 | $82,660 | $54,010 | $108,580 | -16% | 17% |
| Maryland | 3,510 | 1.08 | $99,190 | $63,480 | $130,590 | +1% | 21% |
| Massachusetts | 5,290 | 1.23 | $101,310 | $71,030 | $129,730 | +4% | 21% |
| Michigan | 4,730 | 0.91 | $89,120 | $62,430 | $108,670 | -9% | 15% |
| Minnesota | 3,890 | 1.12 | $89,380 | $62,390 | $107,820 | -9% | 17% |
| Mississippi | 1,790 | 1.31 | $78,130 | $50,280 | $106,170 | -20% | 15% |
| Missouri | 3,230 | 0.93 | $89,280 | $58,180 | $119,240 | -9% | 14% |
| Montana | 490 | 0.81 | $78,740 | $58,460 | $106,330 | -20% | 16% |
| Nebraska | 1,310 | 1.08 | $84,350 | $59,120 | $117,980 | -14% | 15% |
| Nevada | 1,270 | 0.69 | $104,510 | $63,180 | $136,520 | +7% | 18% |
| New Hampshire | 720 | 0.89 | $83,040 | $64,030 | $119,290 | -15% | 22% |
| New Jersey | 6,840 | 1.35 | $101,560 | $71,620 | $167,230 | +4% | 20% |
| New Mexico | 1,250 | 1.22 | $98,690 | $61,630 | $134,750 | +1% | 13% |
| New York | 15,310 | 1.34 | $100,610 | $64,980 | $157,920 | +3% | 19% |
| North Carolina | 5,600 | 0.96 | $86,460 | $60,800 | $121,040 | -12% | 17% |
| North Dakota | 630 | 1.24 | $75,240 | $56,140 | $103,350 | -23% | 15% |
| Ohio | 7,270 | 1.11 | $93,300 | $61,840 | $125,330 | -5% | 13% |
| Oklahoma | 1,870 | 0.93 | $84,470 | $51,230 | $127,920 | -14% | 14% |
| Oregon | 1,600 | 0.69 | $102,660 | $74,410 | $143,000 | +5% | 18% |
| Pennsylvania | 6,570 | 0.92 | $92,960 | $60,650 | $130,780 | -5% | 16% |
| Rhode Island | 720 | 1.22 | $104,000 | $75,270 | $130,830 | +6% | 15% |
| South Carolina | 2,190 | 0.81 | $90,530 | $56,560 | $124,070 | -7% | 16% |
| South Dakota | 410 | 0.77 | $65,680 | $54,740 | $98,810 | -33% | 17% |
| Tennessee | 3,320 | 0.86 | $84,630 | $58,550 | $116,790 | -14% | 17% |
| Texas | 19,120 | 1.15 | $99,910 | $66,370 | $132,990 | +2% | 17% |
| Utah | 1,460 | 0.71 | $91,560 | $56,070 | $128,490 | -6% | 20% |
| Vermont | 430 | 1.20 | $82,090 | $64,320 | $103,380 | -16% | 18% |
| Virginia | 4,460 | 0.92 | $96,250 | $66,890 | $132,400 | -2% | 20% |
| Washington | 3,570 | 0.85 | $105,550 | $81,330 | $132,630 | +8% | 20% |
| West Virginia | 880 | 1.07 | $80,970 | $62,690 | $125,160 | -17% | 13% |
| Wisconsin | 2,940 | 0.85 | $83,000 | $61,320 | $108,360 | -15% | 16% |
| Wyoming | 240 | 0.72 | $82,040 | $63,520 | $124,250 | -16% | 15% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 890 | $132,720 | $72,080 | $170,500 | 0.67 |
| Boulder, CO | 320 | $131,620 | $90,710 | $167,790 | 1.40 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 1,760 | $130,850 | $97,980 | $163,610 | 0.63 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 1,030 | $126,360 | $85,030 | $148,300 | 0.81 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 1,590 | $119,690 | $84,200 | $148,510 | 0.88 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 310 | $118,660 | $85,540 | $147,780 | 0.90 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 2,120 | $118,560 | $59,590 | $146,240 | 1.05 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 310 | $117,350 | $98,150 | $147,300 | 0.77 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 530 | $115,060 | $74,140 | $166,720 | 1.39 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 2,480 | $112,090 | $73,900 | $158,720 | 1.31 |
| Fresno, CA | 820 | $110,960 | $88,940 | $186,370 | 1.45 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 4,800 | $109,740 | $79,490 | $160,430 | 0.65 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 1,910 | $108,690 | $85,190 | $134,920 | 0.78 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 710 | $108,140 | $68,710 | $170,160 | 1.91 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 15,260 | $107,860 | $73,530 | $167,210 | 1.36 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 1,140 | $107,650 | $81,720 | $143,780 | 0.80 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 2,860 | $106,290 | $77,120 | $126,250 | 1.88 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | 960 | $104,510 | $57,580 | $138,020 | 0.72 |
| Lancaster, PA | 300 | $103,930 | $66,320 | $130,780 | 1.01 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | 490 | $103,740 | $66,240 | $134,780 | 0.50 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 710 | $103,420 | $66,650 | $142,030 | 0.88 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 2,410 | $102,860 | $63,360 | $129,170 | 0.71 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 3,720 | $102,810 | $71,310 | $129,950 | 1.17 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 780 | $101,600 | $67,230 | $123,730 | 1.10 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 2,930 | $101,590 | $79,940 | $123,820 | 0.88 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | 740 | $101,310 | $67,370 | $130,810 | 1.55 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | 430 | $101,310 | $66,960 | $122,240 | 1.08 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 1,830 | $101,160 | $64,610 | $125,160 | 1.14 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 370 | $100,500 | $72,850 | $122,060 | 1.23 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 3,780 | $100,400 | $69,650 | $135,580 | 0.97 |
| Worcester, MA | 620 | $100,130 | $72,050 | $132,480 | 1.49 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 3,330 | $100,080 | $66,940 | $132,090 | 0.97 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 3,140 | $99,960 | $72,800 | $135,830 | 0.85 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 650 | $99,830 | $76,130 | $116,630 | 0.72 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 1,090 | $99,720 | $68,600 | $127,710 | 1.30 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 4,800 | $99,540 | $69,960 | $131,400 | 1.01 |
| El Paso, TX | 620 | $99,430 | $66,450 | $134,260 | 1.54 |
| Albuquerque, NM | 580 | $99,160 | $61,630 | $133,050 | 1.22 |
| Cleveland, OH | 1,180 | $98,900 | $64,930 | $151,030 | 0.97 |
| Akron, OH | 410 | $98,800 | $53,900 | $147,730 | 1.08 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 370 | $98,790 | $49,980 | $131,480 | 0.80 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 7,150 | $98,490 | $62,470 | $124,400 | 1.34 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 2,640 | $98,040 | $69,740 | $131,270 | 0.94 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 1,100 | $97,900 | $63,400 | $114,260 | 0.66 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 880 | $97,870 | $65,450 | $131,040 | 0.97 |
| New Haven, CT | 300 | $97,820 | $63,770 | $151,030 | 0.91 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | 310 | $97,650 | $80,370 | $118,380 | 1.56 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | 490 | $96,920 | $69,820 | $121,930 | 1.11 |
| Springfield, MA | 370 | $96,880 | $63,840 | $125,020 | 1.57 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 1,710 | $96,580 | $76,310 | $121,960 | 1.00 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | 550 | $96,540 | $60,880 | $184,820 | 1.74 |
| Columbus, OH | 1,390 | $96,460 | $65,460 | $120,200 | 1.07 |
| Richmond, VA | 770 | $96,080 | $67,700 | $124,800 | 0.98 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 550 | $95,960 | $63,560 | $142,360 | 1.23 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 1,690 | $95,930 | $61,270 | $127,610 | 1.30 |
| Tucson, AZ | 420 | $95,450 | $68,910 | $118,670 | 0.92 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | 810 | $94,490 | $62,970 | $107,330 | 1.14 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | 330 | $93,740 | $60,870 | $123,100 | 1.05 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 2,570 | $93,370 | $62,920 | $111,590 | 1.11 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | 300 | $93,370 | $60,090 | $133,910 | 1.00 |
The median is $97,870 a year ($47.05 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $62,900 and the highest-paid tenth over $134,160 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
183,390 in May 2025, and BLS projects +16.6% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: Master's degree (BLS).
California, with a median of $118,970 (among states with published figures).